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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 141
          - [Docket No.: FAA-2024-2531]

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

# ACTION:

Notice of public meeting for proposed rulemaking; request for comment.

# SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces a public meeting to solicit input on the modernization of pilot school regulations. This will be the first in a series of public meetings on this topic.

# DATES:

The FAA will hold the first public meeting (virtual only) on Thursday,  March 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Written comments are requested no later than March 21, 2025.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Members of the public must register to attend the virtual public meeting. See website for registration link:                         *https://www.faa.gov/​about/​office_​org/​headquarters_​offices/​avs/​offices/​afx/​afs/​afs800/​afs810/​modernization_​of_​part-141_​initiative.*

Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2024-2531 using any of the following methods:
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal:                          Go to                          www.regulations.gov                          and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.                    
      -  Mail:                          Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.                    
      -  Hand Delivery or Courier:                          Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.                    
      -  Fax:                          Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.                    

*Privacy:*                         DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to                         *www.regulations.gov,*                         as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at                         *https://www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2008-01-17/​pdf/​E8-785.pdf.*

*Docket:*                         Comments received may be read at                         *www.regulations.gov*                         at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        For questions concerning this action, contact Lyndsay Carlson with the Part 141 Modernization Initiative Team, Office of Safety Standards, General Aviation and Commercial Division, Training and Certification Group (AFS-810): email                         *9-AFS-Modernization-Part141-Comments@faa.gov.*                         Phone: 202-267-1100.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 141 prescribes the requirements for issuing pilot school air agency certificates, provisional pilot school air agency certificates, associated ratings, and the general operating rules applicable to a holder of a part 141 pilot school or provisional pilot school air agency certificate. Through a part 141 pilot school or provisional pilot school, a student may obtain equivalent levels of aeronautical experience in fewer hours than required by 14 CFR part 61. Part 141 schools are required to have FAA certification, and FAA oversight. Specifically, part 141 includes curricula standards for training and procedures to ensure a training course used by a school is adequate, appropriate, and is administered by qualified personnel including an experienced chief instructor who supervises instructors.

                    The process of licensing or certification of pilot schools in the United States is approaching 100 years of existence. Although the FAA has revised certain regulatory requirements pertaining to pilot schools during this time, part 141 still has many foundational ties to Civil Air Regulations (CAR) part 50, which was implemented in the 1940s. Regulations for pilot schools are typically promulgated to improve safety, reduce aircraft accidents, and embrace changes such as advances in technology and the need for data collection and analysis. Modernizing part 141 would address challenges pertaining to certification, certification management, examining                           ( print page 104905)                        authority, and evolving technology and learning methods. The FAA's objective of modernizing part 141 is to increase safety and create a foundation for a more structured training environment to aid in the reduction of general aviation accidents and fatalities.                

Therefore, part 141 must be analyzed to determine how it can evolve with the changing aviation industry. Over the course of the project, the FAA is seeking engagement from the flight training industry through participation in public meetings and submitted comments. Collaboration within the industry is encouraged to stimulate the innovation of a modern part 141 that will serve the needs of current and future pilot schools, as well as provide a robust and safe training environment that instills the necessary knowledge, skills, critical thinking, and aeronautical decision making in its pilots to create a safer national airspace system.

                    For more information about the Part 141 Modernization Initiative, visit                     *https://www.faa.gov/​about/​office_​org/​headquarters_​offices/​avs/​offices/​afx/​afs/​afs800/​afs810/​modernization_​of_​part-141_​initiative.*

## Public Meeting

                    The FAA will provide the project goals, overview, and plans to address the modernization of part 141 initiative at the introductory virtual public meeting on March 6, 2025. Throughout the project period, the FAA intends to have additional public meetings, which the FAA will announce in the                     **Federal Register**                    .                

                    The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to providing equal access to this meeting for all participants. If you require an alternative version of files provided or alternative accommodations, such as sign language, interpretation, or other ancillary aids, please contact the Part 141 Modernization Initiative Team, at                     *9-AFS-Modernization-Part141-Comments@faa.gov*                     by February 20, 2025.                

## Comments Encouraged

                    The FAA encourages the public to submit comments to                     *www.regulations.gov,*                     Docket No. FAA-2024-2531. Comments that the FAA would find helpful include validated data and reports, unique discussion topics or scenarios, and/or feedback specific to modernizing part 141. The public is encouraged to provide feedback regarding innovative ideas; methods; solutions; products; and/or services that have, or could have, a significant impact on pilot school training. We encourage you to submit comments electronically through the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal. If you submit your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard copy.                

The submission of public comments is encouraged but not required for meeting participation. The FAA will consider public feedback to determine the need for future considerations to the CFR; however, because such comments would be submitted outside of a notice-and-comment rulemaking, there is no requirement for the FAA to respond to submitted comments. The FAA will review comments that are post-marked, or submitted electronically, on or before the comment closing date of March 21, 2025. Comments made after the closing date may be reviewed as time and resources permit.

                    Additional information and resources, including future schedule details, will be provided on the project website as they become available. Specific questions regarding the project can be emailed to                     *9-AFS-Modernization-Part141-Comments@faa.gov.*

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2024.

Everette C. Rochon, Jr.,

Manager, Training and Certification Group, General Aviation and Commercial Division, Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service.

[FR Doc. 2024-30250 Filed 12-23-24; 8:45 am]

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